Energy comparisons put trackers first - is this misleading?

mageliken

My 15 month Fuse energy fix is ending on 29th Nov and I'm trying to work out what to do.

Fuse suggest their 15 month tracker is going to be cheapest for my usage on both gas and electric. The MSE cheap energy comparison also lists trackers as being the cheapest. But I feel like I'm missing something here? I appreciate price cap rises are unknowns, but there are predictions for them - am I right in saying that the comparisons don't take into account estimated price rises on the trackers?

Is there any comparison that does do this?

My instinct, I think, is to take the longest fix that I can… but I can't help but feel I'm missing something?

QrizB

am I right in saying that the comparisons don't take into account estimated price rises on the trackers?

Yes.

Is there any comparison that does do this?

Most sites have an option to only show fixed tariffs. This will normally exclude trackers.

If not, you'll just have to scroll past the trackers until you reach the fixes.

Woodstok2000

You're correct. A 15 month tracker from 30 November takes you to end of Feb 2028. There are reasonable predictions for the price cap change in Jan 27, but it'll be less accurate for April, even less accurate for July, and no-one will have any idea what the price cap is going to look like in October next year. How would you factor in all that uncertainty if you were building a comparison?

The whole decision hinges on your attitude to risk, and also don't forget that some energy companies allow fee-free transfers between their own tariffs, so you always have that option if you do fix and then the prices drop.

Scot_39

Chances are right now they are - and until Jan will be the cheapest fixed term tariffs.

And I guess how the tables present the results will be cheapest first.

Unless you filter tge search where can.

Its like anything you need to filter the information provided.

mse big 3 ave would be pushing £2202 and 2 of the 3 (EDF , EOn) who updated on Mon 26th have Apr cap at £2374.

Thata a rise of £469 and £651 respectively on todays cap.

The now looking very old CI forecast a lower c£199x, c£27x increase.

A tracker will often see the same absolute rises - as normally they offer a fixed discount over a fixed term - e.g. £25 per fuel for 12m etc - but critically not a fixed rate.

but at least many seem to have cleaned up their tariff naming and descriptions to avoid past problems with people thinking their trackers were same as conventional fixes. Only to get a rise at next cap review. We saw a few posts here of those impacted.